THERE are just a few days left before the big kick-off for Burnley versus Chelsea.

And the fans cannot wait after pre-season friendlies which have given them confidence that the Clarets can more than hold their own in the Premier League.

It was encouraging to read Jimmy Armfield’s remarks about Burnley in the top flight in Monday’s Lancashire Telegraph, and I agree with him that you need to up your game at this level to get results.

The likes of Ben Mee and Kieran Trippier have certainly done that. They look to have come back even better players than last season, and I’m sure Lukas Jutkiewicz, ‘The Juke of Turf Moor’ as I shall call him, will benefit from the number of crosses that are being put into the box by the full backs.

I can remember in my day when our full backs were John Angus and Alex Elder and both provided crosses that Andy Lochhead and I would get our heads on to. Sometimes they would take our heads off – particularly from Elder.

The focus on the Juke has taken it off Danny Ings slightly, and people have stopped me and asked why last season’s top scorer hasn’t got off the mark yet.

But I have told them not to worry because he is doing so much else for the team.

He has created space for others, who have benefited, and played his in the team build-up, and it is his partnership with the Juke that is catching my eye. I can see only goals from them two.

Imagine the headaches when Sam Vokes is back to full fitness with five strikers to choose from in Ings, Jutkiewicz, Ashley Barnes, Marvin Sordell and Sam.

I was with Ian Britton on Saturday and he said that he had seen Sam doing his rehab at Crow Wood, and he was pleased to report that he was making a good recovery from his knee injury. The treatment he has been receiving is unbelievable, and hopefully he will be back sooner than I thought.

What a nice dilemma for Sean Dyche to have when all of his front men are fit and available.

But his immediate concern is the side to face Chelsea, and there are selection options there too.

I’m sure he already has a good idea of it on the back of all the friendlies, and what he has seen in training up to this point. And I have every faith in the manager’s selection.

All that is left now is to wish him and the squad “Good Luck” for the season, and for the fans to get behind the team and make Turf Moor a fortress.